at the fork of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the fork of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a point where two paths or options diverge, often in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "At the fork of the river, we decided to take the left path towards the mountains."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"Somewhere at the fork of a highway, I ended up on the wrong fork," he recalled.

The New Yorker

The Keystone Lake area is immediately to the west at the fork of the Cimarron and Arkansas rivers.

Britannica

Mr. Hitchcock produced chair parts from maple, birch and oak trees near the sawmill he built at the fork of the Farmington and Still Rivers.

The New York Times

"Founded at the fork of the scenic Black River in 1817 by Heman Ely," it says, "Elyria is a city of 'firsts' and has all the right ingredients to put Elyrians first again".

The New York Times

On the Daniel Boone Trail at the fork of the Wilderness Road, the settlement was incorporated in 1871 and named for Boone, the pioneer who, according to tradition, camped there while on a hunting trip.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After sitting vacant for about 30 years, the old public school that towers prominently at the fork of McLean and Park Hill Avenues in southwest Yonkers is getting a second life, much to the relief of residents and city officials.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

By this time, the French had constructed Fort Duquesne, strongly reinforced at the forks of the Ohio River in what is now Pittsburgh.

The Washington Post

He rode horseback along the Susquehanna and Delaware rivers, camping at night, his only home a cabin at the forks of the Delaware.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It lies at the forks of the Thames River, midway between Lakes Ontario (east) and St. Clair (west) and Lakes Huron (north) and Erie (south).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Intending to destroy the French fort at the forks of the Ohio River, the British were taken by surprise along the Monongahela River, sustaining heavy casualties, among them Braddock, who was killed.

The New York Times - Books

This encouraged the rebels who had seized Upper Fort Garry the main HBC trading post at the forks of the Red and Assiniboine and who planned to hold it until the Canadian government agreed to negotiate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing geographical locations or decision points, use "at the fork of" to clearly indicate a point of divergence or convergence. This phrase provides a visual and spatial understanding of the described area.

Common error

Avoid using "at the fork of" metaphorically if the context doesn't involve a literal division or branching. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnatural or confusing. Consider alternatives like "at the intersection of ideas" for abstract concepts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the fork of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It pinpoints a specific location where a division or confluence occurs, often used geographically, such as rivers or roads, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples. It serves to situate events or places in relation to this point of divergence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "at the fork of" is grammatically sound and serves to indicate a point where something divides or converges. Ludwig AI analysis shows this phrase appears most commonly in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wiki sources. Though examples are somewhat limited, this phrase helps establish spatial context and can be used both literally and metaphorically. When writing, remember that the correctness and applicability depends on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the junction of

Indicates a point where multiple routes or entities meet or separate.

at the confluence of

A more formal way to describe the meeting point of rivers or streams.

where the path splits

Focuses on the division of a single route into multiple directions.

at the divergence of

A more formal term for the act of splitting or moving in different directions.

where the roads diverge

Emphasizes the separation of paths at a particular location.

at the crossroads of

Suggests a place of decision and transition.

where the branches divide

Emphasizes the branching out from a central point.

at the intersection of

Highlights the crossing or meeting of lines or surfaces.

where the rivers meet

Specifically refers to the confluence of waterways.

where the streams converge

Highlights the coming together of multiple watercourses.

FAQs

How can I use "at the fork of" in a sentence?

Use "at the fork of" to describe a location where something divides or converges, like "The town is located at the fork of two major rivers" or "Standing at the fork of my career path, I had to make a choice".

What's a more formal alternative to "at the fork of"?

For a more formal tone, consider using /s/at+the+junction+of or /s/at+the+confluence+of, particularly when referring to rivers or streams.

Is "at the fork of the road" the same as "at a crossroads"?

While similar, "at the fork of the road" often refers to a physical split in a path, while /s/at+a+crossroads is more often used metaphorically to describe a critical decision point.

Can "at the fork of" be used for abstract concepts?

While primarily used for physical locations, "at the fork of" can be extended metaphorically. For example, "at the fork of ethics and profits" can express a dilemma with divergent paths. Be mindful of your audience's interpretation.